Palestinians went out to vote in historic local council elections, the first time since 2006 that polling stations opened in the Gaza Strip, amid strict conditions that barred Hamas from fielding candidates and amid public doubts about change under Israeli occupation.
Millions of Palestinians cast their votes in local elections covering the West Bank and Deir al-Balah city in central Gaza Strip, marking a significant democratic move under President Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan, which has helped maintain a ceasefire since last October.
In this election, Hamas was not permitted to field candidates under its name because new election laws require candidates to sign recognition of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole legitimate representative of the people, a condition Hamas and several other political groups rejected, leading them to boycott the elections. This left Fatah, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, as the sole major political group participating. However, reports indicate that in Deir al-Balah, some independent candidates viewed as Hamas allies also ran.
Deir al-Balah was chosen as the only area in Gaza to hold elections because it suffered less damage from recent Israel-Hamas conflicts. Hamas police secured polling stations amid declining Hamas popularity in Gaza due to war impacts. Conversely, Hamas’s support surged in the West Bank as people lost faith in the Palestinian Authority (PA) under Abbas, viewed as failing to solve economic issues and Israeli occupation.
Mohammed Al-Husayna, a resident of Deir al-Balah, said after voting, “This is a sign of the desire to continue living. We want the world to help heal us from the devastation of war. It is time to rebuild Gaza.”
Meanwhile, Mahmoud Bader, a businessman in Tulkarem city in the West Bank, expressed a different view, saying he has no hope for change. “Israel remains the ruler here. The election is just a facade shown to the foreign media as long as we lack true independence.”
The Central Election Commission stated that over one million Palestinians are eligible to vote across the territories. Although the election is seen as a chance to exercise democratic rights during challenging times, the fact that Fatah faces almost no opposition in many districts underscores the deep divisions between the two main Palestinian power centers, which have yet to find unity. Official results are expected Saturday or Sunday evening local time.
/sourceBBC